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I just realize I never posted that I began a new page! I felt this one had some baggage I wanted to let go of. So come follow me! http://imperfecthought.blogspot.com/

What matters in the end?

  It's amazing how God can work events, conversations and experiences together to share His heart. Here's what He has been talking to me about this week..

  It may sound a little morbid, but I enjoy reading online articles or journals written first hand by those who are terminally ill. Ok, that sounds extremely insensitive in words, I don't enjoy that they are sick or dying.. but there's something about their perspective that is so organic, so real. It wakes you up to reality. It's almost as if you are gaining parts to the "secret to life". I mean that's what we're all trying to accomplish, right? To be happy and live a fulfilling life on earth, to "get it right". Some of us are striving to be successful at work, or in school;or to make an impact in our community or giving your best to our family, it's different for everyone. We all want fulfillment in whatever way we feel we need it. But in the end, is the fulfillment you are striving for important? 

  The things I've observed by reading these journals, are that the writers all seem to want two of the same things: more time, and to be remembered. Sure they all have bucket lists, they have places they wish they could go and things to see. In comparison, when their individual stories are stripped down to the basics they all seem to really desire these two things and not yet have I found them to be about outward accomplishments. They do usually have to do with relationships. Relationships with friends and family. They wish they could do some things over, not for it to be different but to have taken the time to savor the memories. They long for assurance that nobody will ever forget them. That even when their friends are grown, that they'll be remembered.. that when their children are grown with children of their own, that they will share stories and keep their memory alive. How do we make memories? How do we make the best of our years? Relationship(s). By being part of something bigger than ourselves. By loving people regardless of their ethnicity, physical appearance, sex, ability, beliefs. Just love people, spend time with people. Time.Take time to play with your children, take time laughing with your spouse, spend time reminiscing with your parents and grandparents. Take time to reflect. Is it always easy? Nope. But relationships are clearly what matters "in the end", not just for yourself, but a gift for those who leave this earth before you to feel as if they'll be remembered; and a gift, an impact for those you leave behind.

  Relationship. What does it mean to you? Time. What are you doing with it? Being remembered. What kind of imprint will you leave on this earth?

Philippians 2:4-6
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
 Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!
 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.
 
   It's through our earthly relationships, that we can encourage others to seek the most important relationship, the everlasting one. In the end it takes relationship to give life, and it's the only thing you can take with you.

In Your Life, or in the Way of Your Life?

   A quick story before I get to my point. Before having my son, I worked in a daycare with many underprivileged kids (not all of them, but more than not). One little girl had a very rough situation.. her and I connected and she touched my heart so deeply, I remember her the best out of all the kids that went through there and pray for her from time to time. While at the carnival on Monday, I saw her and my heart was so happy to just know she's ok :) I watched her big smile as she enjoyed one of the rides we were in line for and it was the same beautiful smile she had at 4 years old. She must be about 11 or 12 now, she is taller than me, and she probably doesn't remember me.. but I felt as though I found a long lost child, and just wanted to run over and hug her and tell her how much I've missed her.

   In the same way, I know God was showing me how He feels about those who once walked with Him. Everyday spending time with them, watching them grow and just having that personal relationship with them. He was showing me how much He still loves them and thinks about them, even after they've walked away. He taught me that emotional meaning of the parable about the prodigal son, and showed me a glimpse of the joy and fullness that comes of a child returning home. It's beyond all human intensity and ability to understand how much He truly loves us!

  I believe those who know the truth, but maybe have lost the desire to walk and talk with Him daily, are in need a fervent prayer. I'm not talking about those who don't attend church weekly, your church attendance record doesn't measure your relationship with Jesus at all. I'm talking about those inside and outside of the church who believe in Him, who may love Him, but don't necessarily KNOW Him.

  I have noticed a rise in "Apostate Christianity", which is mentioned in the book of Revelation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Rev 3:15-17 I know I have sat through those conversations with people where they know all the scriptures, and know all about the teaching of Jesus and say they believe.. but there's almost a lack of evidence in their life. It seems as though they keep just enough of Jesus as a " feel-safe", while justifying their own lusts by finding others who agree with them. They search for loop-holes, and live without fear of Him. They fail to realize that their "loop-holes" are self-made, to avoid the convictions they feel. So what do we do? How do we reach out to them? Well, probably the best way.. to follow what God's word tell us.

 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.- 2 Timothy 4:2-5

   Why should we focus on them? Because they are part of the flock.They are the church attenders, who are part of every ministry because they need to feel accepted, but have they accepted Him? They are the sons and daughters of Christ who have either been mislead, or hurt, or just simply fell away. They are the ones who claim victory, but run after other "idols" in their lives. They are on their way to destruction. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:21-23 They are in need of encouragement, and guidance, and most importantly love. And lastly, God deems them as worthy of His affection as we are.

   Time is growing short my friends. It's time to get up, time to let those passions become callings, and those burdens to become the drive of your ministries! It's time we rise up.

Blood Drive

   A funny little story to begin. We took our son Malakai (5) to the park this weekend and along the road were signs promoting a Blood Drive that was taking place. Malakai is a huge Scooby-Doo fan, and his imagination is always on full-force, and blood is NOT his favorite subject.. lol. [just to paint a mental picture for you to surround the following conversation]:

Malakai: Daddy!! Did you see that? They call this road.. **dramatic gulp of fear** BLOOD DRIVE!!
Mom and Dad: **insert hysterical laughter**
Dad: No buddy, a blood drive is when you give your blood to help save someones life who may need it.
Malakai: **insert look of disgust and horror** 

  Conversations like these are why I love being around kids!! But also, because their innocence teaches us so much, they are truly pure in spirit. There's nothing better in this life, when God uses your own child and information you taught them to speak to you. So as funny as the conversation on Saturday was.. Sunday it came back to blow me away. 

  Sunday we went to the early service, and during announcements, the speaker shared upcoming events and the fact there was a blood drive taking place on campus. I started to giggle, as Malakai's eyes grew wide hearing the words BLOOD DRIVE in church. Then he breathed a sigh of relief and giggled saying "Oh I know.. they're talking about the blood drive Jesus did." It made me stop giggling, and just look at my beautiful child in astonishment with the connection he made. What a concept!

   Since then, it's been playing over in my mind.. "the blood drive Jesus did." In essence, that is what He did.. He GAVE blood, so that WE may have LIFE! I love when I get a new perspective on what Jesus gave. Through our belief and proclamation of the life of Jesus Christ and the fact that He died on the cross in atonement for us, is like getting a blood transfusion. It gives life to a dying soul, it gives us a new beginning.. and His blood type matches everyone's, you just need to ask for it! It replenishes and enhances. Without this transfusion, you will die. His blood adds to your life, what you cannot do on your own. 

 Though His blood drive happened on earth years ago... it has yet to expire and never will. Transfusions are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Revelation 1:5-6
5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. 

"Indef"

   Jay and I met a man today at McDonald's who was spending time with his great-grandkids, watching them play in the play place. He was a man, probably in his 70's or 80's.. with white hair and a beard. He took great pride in his family and the fact that last year he got to play Santa at his great-grandson's school. He was even more proud about his 26 years in the Navy. He showed us his Navy ID card with the expiration date stating "Indef". He shared how he could hop aboard any military plane, and go anywhere in the world.. but after 26 years traveling in the military, he never wanted to leave the states. He told us how it was hard, that he was gone all the time but he remained faithful to his wife and they had 4 children, some of which he wasn't able to be around for their birth. 

  As he talked, we noticed he began repeating himself, word for word. The more he talked about his life, the more I realized how sad he was. Sad about the events he missed out on, and a deep sadness hid in his eyes.. a loneliness, maybe the memories of war and the experiences he wished to not share. He would occasionally stop and ask "Did I already tell you about this?" Some times I would say yes.. but other times I would let him go on. I couldn't really tell if it was the beginning of Alzheimer's, or the long lasting effects of war. I guess either scenario doesn't really matter. He is a man who sacrificed so his family could have a better life, even if that meant not being able to be there for a lot of it. He is a man who fought to support and defend this country, even if this country didn't always support and defend him. A true Veteran, a true hard-working man. 

   What touched me so much about this man, was how full of life he still was, how he is still very much a fighter today in a different way. He knows his memory isn't perfect, yet he goes out of his way to strike up conversation with strangers. He puts a smile on his face and reaches out to share his life with others. He wasn't always able to physically be there for his children, but is making efforts to fix that with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is out LIVING because he is ALIVE. How precious life is to him. It was an honor to meet him, and an honor to speak with him, even if he won't remember it. 

  His Navy ID.. Expiration Date: "Indef", speaks more than just to travel. It speaks of Indefinite sacrifice, Indefinite appreciation for life, and Indefinite effects of war.  I only pray that in my life.. I can be marked with such attributes by my Heavenly Father and to never lose zest and zeal for life, no matter what may come.  

You can't Handle it Without Him

I always hear people say "God will never give you more than you can handle." I also see a lot of comments protesting against this saying, some include: "God won't give me more than I can handle, He must think I'm pretty strong!" "I've heard God won't give you more than you can handle.. well I'm at my breaking point!" I thought to myself the last few times, does this even come from the Bible? So I looked it up, and here's what I found.

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.- 1 Corinthians 10:13

  The scripture above speaks of false idols, temptations or anything that we would put first, before Christ. The truth is, yes, we will have things in our lives that we cannot handle on our own. There will be hard times, there will be loss, there will be battles in and of ourselves as well as with others. But He is so faithful, that He is telling us "I've got this..", "I won't let you fall". Remember playing CandyLand and picking the card with the candy that is closest to the Castle? (somehow my 5 y/o pick that every time! I'm not bitter..) That's what God does for us, He give us a way out and by doing so, it is not we who handle anything, but God Himself. 

  There will be times when we struggle to get up, when it hurts to move on. Times when it seems it would be better to give in, and give up. Yet, He steps in and gives us a motive. He is our strength:

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.- 2 Thessalonians 3:3 

  There are times we think we are going to lose it, that we're at breaking point and He's right there ASKING for us to give Him our problems, our stress. He grants us endurance:

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.- Psalm 55:22

 

And just when we think we are done "relying" on Him, and we're laying prostrate, exhausted from carrying or sobbing.. what does He do? He gives us rest:


Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.- Matthew 11:28


When He is ruler of Your heart, the saying has some truth to it.. He won't give us anything we can't handle with His help. I would be lying if I said I never uttered the old saying myself, but I will never use it again. Why? I see too many being hurt by the misinterpretation, too many people become angry. The fact is, we sometimes can't handle things on our own strength or might.. but only through His spirit. I thank God that when temptation rears it's ugly head, that there's a bridge waiting for me to put me back on course. He gives us peace in our hearts, indescribable peace even though our world is falling apart around us.. our hearts hold steadfast under His wing. "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33


<>< Blessings!

A Servant or a Slave?

"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."- Matthew 6:12


As humans, we have all yearned for things we didn't necessarily need. That newer car, faster computer, new shoes etc. As imperfect and impatient humans, most of us have all fallen in to, at one point or another borrowing money or "charging it" or taking a loan from the bank. But what happens when we accumulate too much debt? We stress out, we over work and all in all we become consumed and obsessed with trying to keep up. Debt becomes our master, in turn making us slaves to it's every whim. It's weight wears us down, and it's image embeds itself in our minds keeping us from rest. There comes a time when we ask ourselves "Who/What is in charge of my life?"


The Lord asks us to not serve two masters, and does not want us to become slaves to self and in turn to worldly desires. Some times that's really, really hard; especially in this economy, where we feel like we have to fend for ourselves. But what does His word say about our needs?


Do not worry. Do not keep saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘What will we wear?’ The people who do not know God are looking for all these things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all these things.- Matthew 6:31


There are many desires that we can fall in to serving. Many things we enjoy or we dream about, can slowly become Masters of our lives if we let them. It's okay to have dreams and desires, in fact the very desires of your heart were put there by none other than God, Himself! But it is in how we treat these desires that makes them blessings or nightmares. Does this mean He doesn't want us to dare to dream? Noway. Does this mean we are not to be consumers of the "in" things? Of course not. He wants us to enjoy life, but he wants us to be content first and foremost. He wants us free from worry and burdens. More than anything, He wants to be the ONLY Master of our lives! He calls us to serve Him, not as slaves, but as servants who have a choice.

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.- 1 Timothy 6:5-7


So ask yourself this, are you a slave to a temporary master; or a servant of the everlasting Lord?